Delta is likely to scale back a Northwest order for
Boeing's new, but delayed, 787 Dreamliner, and ask the
manufacturer to expand a Delta order for the 777-200LR
aircraft, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with
Delta's plans.

The 777-200LR is a long-range aircraft that carries at
least 50 more passengers and would better enable the combined
carrier to continue pursuing Delta's strategy to shift a
greater percentage of its flights to long overseas routes, the
paper said.

The two companies could not be immediately reached for
comment by Reuters.

No final decisions have been made regarding the new
aircraft, the WSJ told the paper, and Delta has yet to
officially ask Boeing to alter its order book.

A change in orders from Delta is unlikely to significantly
hurt Boeing as it has secured other customers for 787s, and the
manufacturer will be willing to expand its order book for the
more expensive 777-200LR, the paper said, citing people
familiar with the situation.

Delta declined to comment on specific order plans, the
Journal reported, but said the company believes the long-term
needs of a merged fleet would differ from those of each airline
individually.

A Boeing spokeswoman said the company remains in regular
contact with its customers to make sure their pending orders
match their needs, but declined to comment about specific
dealings with any airline, the newspaper said.
(Reporting by Pratish Narayanan in Bangalore; Editing by
Anshuman Daga)